We save a lot of personal data on our phones – from photos and videos to contact information and banking details. It’s important to keep this data safe and secure, especially in today’s world where cybercrime is on the rise. One way to do this is by encrypting your data.
Encryption? What In The World Is That?
Encryption simply means scrambling your data so that it can’t be read without a special key or password. In this blog post, we will discuss why encryption is important and how you can go about encrypting your data.
Isn’t Encryption Only Used By Governments & Big Businesses?
Contrary to what you might think, encryption is more and more common among businesses, both big and small, and is now available for individuals as well. Why? Because cybercrime is no longer just a government problem. Small businesses and individuals are more vulnerable because they are easy targets. For the most part, they don’t believe they are going to be a real target and as a result, they don’t take precautions.
But How Important Is Your Data Anyway?
But who cares about your photos and videos, right? And your bank information, do you save that on your phone?
Stop and think about it for a minute. Maybe, you traveled recently and because you know your passport is important and you are a cautious person, you took a photo of it just in case you lost it. Maybe your husband called from the doctor’s office because he forgot his wallet at home. Instead of reading the numbers to him and having him write them down, you thought you were being cautious by sending him a photo of the credit card and insurance card via text. If these scenarios sound familiar, you are not alone. These are things people do every single day without giving them a second thought.
The bottom line is that if the data is important enough for you to save, it’s important enough for you to encrypt.
Yes, even your family photos.
How much do you cherish the baby photos you have saved on your phone or the photos from your recent trip to Bali? Did you know that hackers may steal those photos and then hold them for ransom? Seriously, we have seen it happen.
How Can I Encrypt My Data?
Okay, all of this is good and fine but you need your information at your fingertips. We all do. So, how do you keep your data safe and still have everything your need completely accessible?
We have good news. Our app can help. By using the iStratus app, you can encrypt your data and keep all of your personal data safe from cyberattacks and even share it with members of your family with an encryption key. Best of all, it’s inexpensive and easy to use.
How Likely Are You To Be A Cyber Victim?
We know it seems unlikely that you will be targeted by cybercrime. But, according to DataProtect, “60 million Americans have experienced identity fraud, identity theft statistics show and 16.7 million consumers have had their personal credentials stolen and used without their knowing. This led to $16.8 billion being embezzled from consumers in a single year.”
These days, if you don’t take precautions, it is no longer a matter of if you will become a victim but when.
What Else Can I Do To Avoid Being A Cyber Victim?
There are a few key things you can do to help protect yourself from becoming a victim of cybercrime. First, encrypting your personal data is crucial. This means that even if your device is stolen or hacked, your data will be much more difficult for criminals to access. Next, staying up-to-date with cybersecurity news and trends is important so that you can be aware of the latest threats. Finally, following basic personal cyber safety rules such as not sharing too much personal information online and using strong passwords can go a long way in protecting you from cybercrime.
If you think you may have been a victim of cybercrime, it is important to report it to the authorities so that they can investigate and help prevent future attacks. Cybercrime is a serious issue and by taking steps to protect yourself, you can help make the internet a safer place for everyone.
So, there you have it. A few reasons why encryption is important and how you can encrypt your data without making it inaccessible.
Be sure to share this blog post with your friends and family to help them stay informed about encryption and cybersecurity! Thanks for reading!